Trimming guide tool for wallpaper



Dec. 31, 1940. R. AMOROSI TRIMMING GUIDE TOOL FOR WALLPAPER Filed Feb. 19, 1940 more time.

Patented Dec. 31, 1940 UNITED STATES ATENT OFFICE- TmMMiNG GUIDE TOOL FOR WALLPAPER Raoul Amorosi, Chicago, 111.

Application February 19, 1940, Serial No. 319,567 6 Claims. (01. 216-61) This invention relates to a knife guide tool for trimming wallpaper on a wall.

When hanging wallpaper, individual strips are pasted and hung. These strips are generally 5 longer than what is required, therefore the surplus paper extending beyond the limits of the Wall onto the picture molding at the top and the baseboard at the bottom is trimmed off with either a knife or shears.

.10 If a knife is used, the paper is first pressed down to fit snug into theangle formed at the juncture of the moldings to the wall. Then the point of the knife is run along in this angle,

using it as a guide to cut the paper to a proper fit.

Most often moldings are found to be irregular and wall surfaces rough, and as the knife is being drawn along in an angle as indicated, the paper is apt to jam under its point and tear, or

otherwise be cut imperfectly, especially if the molding happens to be separated from the wall, allowing the knife blade to slip into the crevice.

The results of using a shears are not entirely satisfactory either, and the operation requires Also unless great care is taken, the paper will be trimmed either too short or too long, or the edges will be cut jagged.

The primary object of the present invention is toprovide an improved guide tool for the knife trimming method indicated, that can be easily adjusted in position to an angle on a wall under a pasted strip of paper ready to be trimmed, and which will accurately locate the cut so as to provide the exact length of paper required.

Another object of the invention is to provide a guide tool that can be readily shifted laterally under a hanging paper strip for consecutive cuttings.

The objects of the invention are accomplished by means of constructions such as are illustrated in the accompanying drawing, along with other novel features herein described that will accommodate the different trimming problems that arise when hanging wallpaper.

Referring to the drawing,

' Fig. 1 is a vertical sectional view of the new trimmer guide tool, taken on the line l-l of Fig. 2.

Fig. 2 is a broken elevational view of the guide tool.

Fig. '3 is a sectional view of a modified form of the guide tool with a fragment of a wall.

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary perspective view showing another form of guide tool set in position at a door casing.

Fig. 5 is a sectional view of another modification.

. Fig. 6 is a sectional view of the tool shown in Fig. 4.

Figs. 7 to 10 inclusive are sections of other modifications.

In the construction illustrated in Fig. 1, the knife guide groove l and the angle key or heel 2 are formed at the lower edge of the guide strip 3 which may be of sheet metal or other suitable 10 material. The end portion of this strip member, designated 3a is bent slightly outward, to form a handle or gripping place. The ridge 3c of the groove, over which the paper projects and parallel with which the paper is cut, is preferably '15 roughened to prevent the paper from skidding.

In Fig. 3 the guide tool is shown in position to perform work on a wall. The angle key or heel 2 is adjusted inposition at the joint 4 of the baseboard 5 and the plaster wall 6, while the top 20 edge 3b of the strip 3 contacts the surface 6d of the wall. The knife blade 1 is shown in the manner that it is set to travel in the groove I totrim the paper strip 8 along a line parallel with the ridge 30. '25

In Fig. 4 a casing guide tool is shown set in trimming positon at a door casing 9. This type of tool is provided with an additional angular member ID designed to rest against the side surface 9a of the casing and has a bent portion Illa 30 extending along the outer edge of the member Ill to serve as a handle, as shown in Fig. 6.

The modified tool shown in Fig. 5 is distinguished from the other arrangements in that, the knifeand the guide parts are reversed. The 35 knife blade I l is an integral projection on the strip member 3 taking the place of the ridge 30. This knife will act in a similar capacity as the guide groove of this invention, by serving as a track for the concave faced roller 12 which is 40 preferably of softer metal than the knife. Running the roller over the paper on the knife edge track or blade II will cut it cleanly.

The guide tools shown in Figs. 9 and 10 are designed to be constructed of a material such as 45 wood or composition, whereas all other types are fashioned of sheet metal.

The length of the new guide tool will depend on the width of the wallpaper it is to be used with for trimming. In any event, the tool will be slightly longer than the width of the paper in order to expose the guide groove to view at its ends. Shorter lengths can be provided for trimming at smaller sections of walls.

When the tool is to be used, it is inserted under 55 a hung paper strip and held against the wall at the molding, or casing angle, the heel or guide key being positioned to lie in the angle as illustrated in Fig. 3. Then the paper is brushed down firmly over the tool to hold it in place and so as to project over the cutting ridge. The point of a knife is then placed in the guide groove at one of its exposed ends and the knife is drawn along across the paper strip cutting it to exact length in a precise straight line parallel with the cutting ridge. Then the tool is removed and the paper is brushed back into place on the wall, and the trimmed edge of the paper will have an accurate fit at the molding, or casing angle to present a very neat appearance.

It is to be observed that the trimming knife when used in combination with the new guide tool of this invention, will cut the paper substantially along the cutting ridge at the top of the groove and by a portion of its blade located a distance back from its point since the paper projects across the ridge and does not enter the groove. Thus the knife will retain its edge longer as it has no hard surface contact, thereby eliminating the danger of the paper jamming and tearing under a dull point as is ordinarily the case. Also the guide groove is rather narrow and is provided with sufficient depth to hold the knife steady and keep it from wobbling as it is drawn along. Thus the knife will tend to hold itself in the groove and not go astray to cut the paperofi line, which is possible if the wall angle alone, which is often irregular, is used.

For trimming around door or window casings, the casing tool is employed and set in position as illustrated in Fig. l. After one cut is completed, the tool may be shifted along under the loose paper by means of its handle Ina. In this over the joint onto the moldings or casings.

From the above description, it is obvious that the new guide tool in affording positive accurate action for the trimmer knife, to eliminate error,

presents a practical and reliable means for the knife-trimming method of trimming wallpaper .on a wall; and that it will function to turn out work quickly in a neat and very satisfactory manner, using only ordinary care.

Various changes in the form and construction of parts herein described and shown can be made without departing from the scope of' the invention as defined by the followingclaims.

I claim:

1. A wallpaper trimming tool comprising a strip member arranged to .be inserted behind a hanging sheet of paper and againstthe surface on which the paper is hung, said strip member having a ridge on the forward side thereof parallel with the desired line of cut and over which said paper extends, and a heel portion parallel with and spaced a predetermined distance rearwardly of said ridge and arranged to lie in a corner formed by said wall and a projection thereon.

2. A Wallpaper trimming tool comprising a strip member arranged to be inserted behind a hanging sheet of paper and against the surface on which the paper is hung, said strip member having a longitudinally extending knife-guiding groove formed in its forward side and across which said paper extends, and longitudinally extending heel portion on the rearward side of said strip member parallel with said groove and arranged to lie in a corner formed by said wall and a projection thereon.

3. A wallpaper trimming tool comprising a strip member arranged to be inserted behind a hanging sheet of paper and against the surface on which the paper is hung, said strip member having a longitudinally extending knife-guiding groove formed in its forward side and across which said paperextends, a ridge on the forward side of said strip member extending parallel with and above said groove, and a longitudinally extending heel portion on the rearward side of said strip member parallel with said groove and arranged to. lie in a corner formed bysaid wall and a projection thereon.

4. A wallpaper trimming tool comprising a strip member arranged to be inserted behind a hanging sheet of paper and against the surface on which the paperis hung, said strip member having a longitudinally extending knife-guiding groove formed in its forward side and across which said paper extends, a ridge on the forward side of said strip member extending parallel with and above said groove, and a longitudinally extending heel portion on the rearward side of said strip member parallel with said groove and arranged to lie in a corner formed by said wall and a projection thereon, said heel portion being spaced a predetermined distance behind said ridge.

5. A wallpaper trimming tool comprising an elongated member arranged to be inserted behind a hanging sheet of paper and against the surface on which saidpaper is hung, said elongated member having a longitudinally extendingknifeguiding groove'in its forward side and across which said paper extends, and a longitudinally extending heel portion on the rearward side of said. elongated member parallel with said groove and arranged to lie in a corner formed by said wall and a projection thereon, said elongated member being formed with a forward surface contour having a surface length in the direction between the upper edge of said member and said groove greater than the vertical distance between said upper edge and said heel portion.

6. A wallpaper trimming tool comprising a strip member 'arrangedto be inserted behind a hanging sheet of paper and against the surface on which the paper is hung, said strip member having a ridge on the forward side thereof parallel with the desired line of cutand over which said paper extends; and a heel portion parallel with and spaced a predetermined distance rearwardly of said ridge and arranged to lie in a .comer formed by said wall and a projection thereon, said ridge having a knife-like edge.

RAOUL .AMOROSI. 

